I need your HELP Please!

[johnny potatoes]

I just came home and my 12" emperor cichlid is sitting on the bottom, almost looks weighted down. He is sitting upright but is breathing very fast almost looks like its skipping a beat in its breathing. I checked the water PH 7.2, nitrIte 0, just a touch of ammonia maybe .10 and nitrAtes are high at 40. I'm in the process of doing a water change. Is there anything else I can do. I should mention I've had the fish for a year since it was an 1 1/2" and everybody else in the tank is fine.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Somethingfishyinc.net]

Water first. Maybe add marine salt or kosher salt. If you take out 30 gallon s add a table spoon per five gallons then. Monitor him after & if he seems better then maybe another water change tomorrow.

Questions is why did he become stressed in the first place? Are you missing any fish? Maybe ate someone?

My trio were raised in a 300gal+ went from 3" to 18" in a year & ate about $1000 worth of cichlids.
They eventually ate 10-12" Frontosa, my female killed a 3' walking cat. ABout ate a 12" midas. This fish does not mess around.

gl

Dave

 

[johnny potatoes]

I have no idea why he is stressed, was fine last night and has been with the same fish for the last year. Nobody is missing, I don't get how a 12" fish goes from fine one day to not good the next especially when nothing has really changed in months. Thanks I will try the salt